Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia
Very serious consequences can happen if there is “too little” or “too much” potassium in your body.
Hypokalemia
Too little potassium – potassium deficiency – in your body is known as hypokalemia.
Certain diseases, conditions, and many medications can cause a loss of potassium from your body, which occasionally may be very severe.
- Diuretics (water pills), laxatives, and/or steroids. Diuretics are probably the most common cause of hypokalemia.
- Certain antibiotics such as gentamicin, carbenicillin, and amphotericin B.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Sweating.
- Several rare kidney and adrenal gland disorders.
- Eating disorders, such as bulimia.
- Eating large amounts of licorice or using products such as herbal teas and chewing tobaccos that contain licorice made with glycyrrhetinic acid. Supposedly, glycyrrhetinic acid is a substance that is no longer used in licorice made in the United States.
You should have your blood levels of potassium checked from time to time if you think you have low ptassium levels. Taking potassium supplements can usually correct the problem. In severe cases, without proper treatment, a severe drop in potassium levels can lead to death.
Hyperkalemia
Too much potassium in the blood is known as hyperkalemia. The kidneys normally remove excess potassium from the body. Some common causes of hyperkalemia are:
- Disorders that reduce the kidneys’ ability to get rid of potassium, especially in people receiving dialysis for kidney failure.
- An abnormal breakdown of protein.
- Lack of aldosterone – aldosterone regulates kidney removal of sodium and potassium.
- Severe infection.
- Tissue injury can cause the cells to release potassium.
- Increased intake of potassium can cause hyperkalemia if kidney function is poor.
- Certain medicines including potassium sparing diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.